Song Tian was stopped, her expression slightly awkward.
Was this a way of telling her she wasn’t going with the army, drawing a clear line between them?
Then why hadn’t he said so earlier—this whole trip in the car was wasted.
Just as she was thinking this, Lu Beizhen tossed her a handkerchief through the car window. “Wipe it clean.”
Oh. So it wasn’t about leaving her behind; it was just that he thought she was dirty.
Her hands really were grimy, sticky with oil that would be difficult to remove if it got on the car.
It made sense that Lu Beizhen wanted her to clean her hands.
Well, if that’s the case, she might as well. At least it wasn’t some cruel trick.
Song Tian carefully wiped off all the grease, then raised her hands for him to check. “Is it okay now?”
But Lu Beizhen’s gaze was fixed on her face.
That delicate nose, and a small blot of oil, about the size of her thumb, somehow made her already sweet face even cuter.
He stared, and their eyes met. Her sparkling gaze hit him like a jolt, and he instinctively withdrew his eyes, his chest tingling as if struck by lightning.
“Your nose.” Lu Beizhen’s voice was low and husky.
Song Tian instinctively reached for the handkerchief to wipe her nose.
But Lu Beizhen was quicker. His thumb gently brushed over the tip of her nose, removing the tiny spot of oil with his calloused fingertip.
Song Tian felt as if she had been electrocuted, staring at him in shock.
“Throw the handkerchief away and get in the car.” His cold eyes were sharp, and his tone carried a trace of disdain.
Looking down, Song Tian realized the handkerchief was already covered in grease. If she had used it on her face, it would have left a streaky mess.
“Thanks.” She lifted the corners of her mouth in a bright, sweet smile.
Lu Beizhen didn’t respond; he pressed the horn instead.
Knowing he was urging her, Song Tian hurried into the back seat.
Fang Shuqin grabbed her hand, practically vibrating with excitement. “Xiao Tiancai, he just brushed the tip of your nose! Oh my God, your progress is going way too fast!”
She had thought it would take at least a month for Lu Beizhen to fall in love, then another five months for him to be completely captivated.
And now, just in a day, they’d already exceeded all the expectations!
The daughter-in-law’s combat power was truly off the charts.
“My nose just had something on it, that’s why he wiped it off for me.” Song Tian quickly explained, worried that Lu Beizhen in the front might misunderstand.
She just wanted to survive a little longer, to save up some capital for life after a divorce.
Fang Shuqin, on the other hand, smiled knowingly.
She understood.
When someone loves without realizing it, they always find an excuse for their uncontrollable feelings!
Too bad she hadn’t seen Lu Beizhen’s expression from that angle—she could have analyzed so much more.
Lu Beizhen ignored the two in the back, pressing the gas pedal all the way down.
A trip that normally took six hours only took four this time. The car didn’t stall once and drove incredibly smoothly.
He barely even noticed, until he looked up and saw the family housing compound right in front of him.
The car really had been repaired perfectly—perhaps even better than when it was brand new.
Lu Beizhen glanced at the rearview mirror, his eyes settling on the woman in the back.
Song Tian had fallen asleep, her head resting against the window. Her sweet face was flushed with deep sleep, like an unripe early-summer apple—innocent yet strangely enticing.
Unconsciously, Lu Beizhen cleared his throat.
“You also think Xiao Tiancai looks beautiful when she’s asleep, right? I do too—I’ve been admiring her the whole way!”
Fang Shuqin suddenly popped up beside him, excitedly shouting.
Lu Beizhen: “……”
He pulled down the handbrake, his gaze cold. “I’m just checking if she drooled on the car.”
Fang Shuqin pouted, about to grumble, but Lu Beizhen honked the horn again.
Song Tian woke up with a start, looking around dazedly. “Are we here?”
“I still have to report in. The house is the small two-story at the far left, the key is under the flower pot by the door. Make yourselves at home!”
With that, he left the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law at the entrance of the compound and drove off.
Fang Shuqin rolled her eyes at his retreating figure. “Reporting? Reporting is important? Isn’t hugging your daughter-in-law more important?”
She shook her head—how did this man ever become a leader in the army?!
Turning back, she saw Song Tian carrying her things into the compound.
Fang Shuqin couldn’t help but sigh.
She understood how relationships needed to progress step by step. No crying, no tantrums—Song Tian simply went in and took ownership of the house.
By the time Lu Beizhen returned and saw how well the house had been managed, he would surely be touched—and then he’d fall for Xiao Tiancai.
Yes, it would definitely happen!
Fang Shuqin felt proud of her own foresight and gave herself a mental thumbs-up.
The house assigned to Lu Beizhen was a two-story, north-south-facing villa. Downstairs were the kitchen, living room, and a guest room. Upstairs were the study and the master bedroom.
Fang Shuqin was satisfied with the layout.
By living downstairs, she wouldn’t disturb the couple’s privacy.
“Xiao Tiancai, once things with Lu Beizhen’s unit settle, I’ll make sure he spends more time with you,” Fang Shuqin said.
Song Tian nodded, but didn’t pay much attention.
She had no intention of spending her life with Lu Beizhen. The most important thing was to save money during these six months.
The two women went about their own thoughts for ten days.
Fang Shuqin was anxious, practically foaming at the mouth.
Lu Beizhen seemed permanently stuck in the army, never coming back—how could they cultivate any feelings like this?
Song Tian was frustrated as well.
After going out a few times, she realized making money in the ’70s wasn’t that simple.
There were no private vendors; everyone had assigned work.
Either you were highly educated and could compete for a talent position, or you stayed home and waited for an assignment.
Song Tian didn’t expect to be assigned any work, and with only a middle school education, a talent position was impossible.
So frustrating.
Where could she earn money?
Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law slumped on the living room sofa, their faces drained of hope.
Just as they were sulking, Fang Shuqin glanced out the window and saw a familiar military jeep.
Was Lu Beizhen back?
No, something seemed off.
It looked like the car was leaving!
Before she could react, Fang Shuqin dashed outside and blocked the jeep with outstretched arms.
“You little brat! Always so busy, and you don’t even come inside! Do you think you’re some kind of Great Yu controlling the waters?!”
She pounded the hood. “Get out and go inside with Xiao Tiancai!”
“Aunt Lu, it’s me.” The window rolled down, revealing a refined and gentle face. “Lu Beizhen is still in the army. I’m just here on his behalf.”
Fang Shuqin recognized him.
Zhou Yi, Lu Beizhen’s company commander—smooth talker, competent, and reliable.
Since Lu Beizhen became a vegetative patient, Zhou Yi had come to visit every now and then.
Fang Shuqin’s expression softened.
“Zhou Yi, come inside for a bit. I have something to ask you.”
She wanted to see what could keep Lu Beizhen so busy in the army that he wouldn’t come home to check on Xiao Tiancai.
The flower of a relationship would wither without interaction. Did he even understand that?
Zhou Yi blinked helplessly. “Aunt Lu, maybe another day. A vehicle broke down in the unit. Our engineer went out to study and hasn’t returned. I have to rush to borrow someone from another unit.”
He started to drive away.
Fang Shuqin quickly stopped him, an idea striking her.
“Repairing the car, huh? Oh, you don’t need to go out. Xiao Tiancai can do it—she’s really good. Take her to the army!”
Hmph.
As the saying goes: if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.
You think hiding in the army will keep you away from Xiao Tiancai?
Just wait—Xiao Tiancai is going to the army!